CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION TO SIWES PROGRAM

1.1 BACKGROUND HISTORY OF SIWES

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), also known as Industrial

Training is a Skills Training Programme designed to expose and prepare students of Nigerian

Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, Colleges of Technology and Colleges of

Agriculture, for the industrial work situation they’re likely to meet after graduation. The scheme

also affords students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the needed

experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their

institution.

In the earlier stage of science and technology education in Nigeria, students were

graduating from their respective institutions without any technical knowledge or working

experience. Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern among

industrialists, that graduates of institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical

background studies preparatory for employment in industries. Thus, employers were of the

opinion that the theoretical education in higher institutions wasn’t responsive to the needs of the

employers of labour.

SIWES introduction, initiation and design was done by the Industrial Training Fund

(I.T.F) in 1973 to acquaint students with the skills of handling employer’s equipment and

machinery. The Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) solely funded the scheme during its formative

years. However, due to financial constraints, the fund withdrew from the Scheme in 1978. The

Federal Government, noting the significance of the skills training handed the management of the

1
scheme to both the National Universities Commission (N.U.C) and the National Board for

Technical Education (N.B.T.E) in 1979.

The management and implementation of the scheme was however reverted to the I.T.F by

the Federal Government in November, 1984 and the administration was effectively taken over by

the Industrial Training Fund in July 1985, with the funding solely borne by the Federal

Government. The scheme has a duration of 4 months for students in polytechnics before

commencement of their HND, while it runs for 6 months for students in the university.

1.2 BODIES INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SIWES

The bodies involved are: The Federal Government, Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Other

supervising agents are: National University Commission (NUC), National Board for Technical

Education (NBTE) and National Council for Colleges of Education (NCE).

1.2.1 Roles of the federal government

Federal Government being the major party in the establishment off SIWES; has ever since

been involved in the management of SIWES. Some of the roles played are:

 Establish SIWES and accredit SIWES unit in the approved institutions.

 Formulate policies and guideline for participating bodies and institutions as well as

appointing SIWES coordinators and supporting staff.

 To make it mandatory for all ministries, companies and parastatals to offer places of

attachment for students in accordance with the provision decree of No 47 of 1971 as

amended in 1990.

 To provide necessary and adequate funds to ITF through the Federal ministries of

industries.
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1.2.2 Roles of ITF (Industrial Training Fund)

 Provide logistics and materials needed to administer the scheme.

 Supervise students at their places of attachment and sign their lob-book and IT forms

through its area offices.

 Vet and process student’s log-book and forward same to ITF Area office.

 Ensure payment of allowances for the students and supervisors.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

The Industrial Training Funds Policy Document No. 1 of 1973 which established SIWES

outlined the objectives of the scheme. The objectives are to:

a. Provide an avenue for students in higher institutions of learning to acquire industrial

skills and experiences during their course of study.

b. Prepare students for industrial work situations that they are likely to meet after

graduation.

c. Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery

that may not be available in their institutions.

d. Make the transition from school to the world of work easier and enhance students’

contacts for later job placements.

e. Provide students with the opportunities to apply their educational knowledge in real work

situations, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.

f. Enlist and strengthen employers’ involvement in the entire educational process and

prepare students for employment in Industry and Commerce.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2. ESTABLISHMENTS PROFILE

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

Obimzy Properties and Housing Developnment is a building structure developer

organization operating in Nigeria since 2012 and it is located in No 21 Oba Amusa Estate

Agungi Ajiran Road Off Lekki-Epe Express Road, Lekki phase 2, Lagos. It is a single man

investment organization comprising of a little organisation structure but its influence in the

structural development sector of the location where it is domicile has brought about a shift and

an advantage. The organisation works with quite a number of building subcontracting expertise

in different sections of work as regarding building construction though the expertise are not

necessarily a permanently recruited worker of the organization.

The establishment is totally committed to successful and invariable planning,

organization, directing and controlling of construction operations for the successful completion

of any proposed project on time with maximum desired outlook and safe working environment.

The firm designs, plans, contract and builds to its own desirability and then puts and

advertises it on sale to the public and any desired buyer is allowed to purchase the structure at

will. The organization builds to comfortability and produces structures well adaptable to the

environmental condition.

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2.2 ORGANIZATION CHART OF THE ESTABLISHMENT

Fig 2.1 organization chart of obimzy properties

2.3 THE ORGANIZATIONS POLICY

This real estate developer organisation has a few policies definitely annotated and

adhered to with compliance to improve and ascertain the quality of job to be done and delivered.

To enhance growth, meet standard of contemporary works trending in the construction sector and

also gratify the desire of its buyer. Below are some the policies;

2.3.1 Planning and controlling

This organization has committed itself to meeting all set goals prepared for by the

project. Hence, the team plans and controls the use of modern day construction technology for a

proposed project, as well as the determination and agreement of the construction methods to be

5
used for the site work. During construction execution, the project builder and supervisory staff

ensures a maximum and effective workman input in order to obtain a desired speed, quantity and

quality of work that proportionate to the time allotment.

2.3.2 Quality Assurance Policy

The company understands the importance of providing quality service and has built it

success and reputation on it. Because of this, the project builder, site manager and project

supervisory staff are motivated to input maximum effort in controlling and regulating the

functional and technical requirement of workmanship. They engage in daily examination of the

progressing project work, ensuring that the work is done appropriately as prescribed.

Furthermore, the organization ensures that it is not being exploited by its suppliers of material by

checking out the quality and quantity on delivery. Moreover, means of improving work methods

as well as avoiding much revisions and corrections are developed.

2.3.3 Health, Safety and Welfare Policy

The firm owes an overall duty of care to its entire workforce through a safety system of

working and so its objectives are established for the well being of both the people working on the

site and people visiting the site who are exclusive from the workers on site. The health and safety

personnel of the site is assigned with the responsibility of managing health and safety preceding,

assessing risks and effecting safety measures.

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 CHAPTER THREE

3. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING WORK EXPERIENCE

3.1 ABOUT THE PROJECT

During my industrial training with Obimzy Properties, I was privilege to witness the

construction of six different storey building located inside the same site space with almost the

same prototype of outlook and architectural design. The structure is located inside Oba Amusa

Estate Agungi Ajiran Road Off Lekki Epe Express Road Lekki, Lagos State.

The project is a developer project meant to be constructed and sold out at the desired

price of the project investor at completion. The building consists of two fully detach storey

building four bedroom each and then two semi detach storey building four bedroom each.

A fully detach building is a building that stands independently on its own without being attached

to any other structure while a semi detach building is a structure that stand erected but still

attached to another structure but there is a separation wall separating them from each other

creating a difference.

The site consists of two independently standing semi detach buildings, and each

consist of two buildings jointed together but having a separation wall making it four buildings in

two structures. In addition, with the two fully detach house making all six in whole. Inside each

of the buildings we have a first floor and a second floor making it a storey building. The first

floors consist of the living room, a kitchen, a guest room, and a guest toilet while the second

7
floors consist of the master bedroom with its closet and toilet, two other rooms with its toilets,

the family lounge, and balcony.

3.2 NATURE OF THE SITE

3.2.1 ABOUT THE SITE

The building construction site space is duly protected although the space is not quite big

but proper organization is always done from time to time as the project work proceeds, internal

site protection and night security is made available in order to prevent thieves, vandals and

trespassers. Hence, access to the site is prohibited if you are not a staff or worker, visitors are

well informed about how to reach their recipients while the site security does a proper check up

on anyone coming into or leaving the working area.

I located the site personally by an environmental survey as there are quite a number of

structure in progress in the environment. On commencement of my training on site the project

manager was the one who admitted me and later introduced me to the project builder who was

my site supervisor. I was privilege to relate both with the project manager who gave me a

detailed summary of the project in progress and also permitted me to ask any question I would

like to ask both at the commencement of my training and as the training progresses, and also

with the project builder who happens to be my supervisor whom I report to on regular bases and

takes me through various practical work experience. I had the opportunity to relate with any

worker of any expertise, asking questions and gaining practical knowledge. Moreover, I was well

informed about the work ethics and code of conduct that I must adhere to during the construction

process.

8
 Plate 3.1: The 3D design of the proposed project

Plate 3.2: A side and approach view of the construction site and structures

Standard work methods and strategies for achieving productivity under a safe working

environment are implemented during the project. Some of which are;

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 1. Site layout consideration and planning.

2. Appropriate and adequate use of personal protective equipment.

3. Risk assessment and control of accidents on site.

A few of it are discussed below;

1. Site layout consideration and planning: prior to the construction of the building,

crucial plans and tasks were performed directed and controlled so that the operatives have

there machines positioned and located to there advantage and also materials are stored in

the site storage house and are readily available on demand not interfering with the general

site circulation, and adequate site accommodation were made available.

2. Appropriate and adequate use of personal protective equipment [PPE]: Personal

Protective Equipment, commonly refered to as PPE, the equipment is worn to minimize

possibilities of exposure to hazard that has a possibility of causing serious workplace

injuries and illness. This illness and injuries may result from contact with physical,

electrical and mechanical workplace hazards. The protective equipment includes hard hat,

safety jacket, safety shoes etc.

3. Risk assessment and control of accident: control measures are put in place to reduce

risk and prevent harm. Risk assessment involves proper controlling of the site work

procedure and progression.

3.2.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE SITE ENVIRONMENT

Safety occurs to be an important project objective and factor to planned and prepared for

in a construction project. There are quite a number of care and safety measures that must be fully

considered and both workers and staff management owe a right to take care to one another in

10
other to avoid or eliminate possibilities of and possible hazards. Because of this reason, specific

site rules to ensure maximum safety.

Below are some definite site rules that must be adhered to;

 Do not use or operate any equipment or machine you lack the technical know how

 Tidy up every work area immediately after work.

 Abstain from drunkenness or hard drug while working, most especially while working in

an open space of an upper floor.

 It must be attested to that the personnel is capable of doing the work being apportioned to

him.

 Report any unsafe condition to the security officer

 Provide temporary support facilities for all exposed parts or areas of the building.

 Ensure you put on protective equipment while at work.

 Stable and sufficiently rigid scaffolds and working platforms must be provided as needed.

 Never walk in an area where fall protection is minimal

 Ensure every place of work at height is thoroughly inspected and examined before work

commences.

 Do not endanger others while at work.

Some safety Personal Protective Equipment define;

1. Hard hat [safety helmet]: this is a hard plastic protective head covering worn on the

head to shield it from any accidental injury due to falls of an individual or falling objects.

Besides, its also use to identify a persons responsibility while on site.

11
 2. Safety jacket: it is a safety clothing with an highly reflective properties that can easily be

recognized from any distance because of its reflective capability. When worn, they can

prevent accident caused as a result of little or low visibility of workmen in construction

site. The jacket can be of various colour like green, yellow, orange. With its reflective

stripes printed on it.

3. Safety boots: these are protective foot wears worn to protect the feet or leg from injuries

as a result of rolling object or penetrating substance.

3.3 DESCRIPTION OF INVOLVED WORK ON SITE

3.3.1 FOUNDATION CASTING AND CONSTRUCTION

Foundation is the lowest part of a structure which is in direct contact with the ground and

transmit the weight of the superstructural load to the ground. There are different types of

foundation depending on the soil bearing capacity of the land area. Some foundation construction

requires trench excavation while some doesn’t and maximum strength must be achieved in other

to have a greater bearing capacity. Foundation satisfies the following functions:

 It takes the structure deep into the ground and increases its stability, preventing

overturning.

 To prevent unequal and differential settlement and proper level surface for the

building and site operation

 It helps to distribute the weight of the structure over a wide area to avoid

overloading.

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 During the construction, we employed a raft foundation for all the structures in the site,

a beam and slab raft foundation. In a beam and slab type of raft foundation, beams are laid in a

perpendicular direction inside of a formwork made with a marine board and all the beams

connected by raft slab. Columns are situated exactly on intersections of beams of the raft

foundation. This type of raft foundation is suitable when the columns are carrying unequal loads

and there is a large space between them.

The base of the raft slab which was used was 600mm wide which happens to be the

footing, while the thickness of the footing is 300mm. The beam of the raft has an height of

800mm with a reinforcement thickness of 150mm, all the columns are 225mm that is 9 inches

and different sizes of reinforcement were used 12mm and 16mm was used and 10mm as the

stirrup.

The formwork was first nailed by the carpenters using wood and marine after which the

iron benders cut the iron to desired length and then bent cold in accordance to the direction given

by the project builder as desired by the project developer, the formwork are then properly and

well reinforced to carry the load coming on it. After the reinforcement work, the formwork was

casted with a coarse aggregate with a mix ratio of 1;2;4, it was both done mechanically by the

use of a mixer to mix the concrete and manually poured into the formwork by unskilled

labourers, it was afterward compacted by a vibrator using a vibrating machine to have the

concrete evenly distributed and compacted inside of the formwork as an uneven distribution can

affect the strength and bearing capacity of the foundation. After the hardening of the concrete,

the formwork was removed and then the raft was filled both manually and mechanically using a

sharp sand because of its bearing capacity.

13
 Unskilled labourers were hired to do the filling manually using a wheel barrow and

shovel while a payloader [font shovel] was hired to do the filling mechanically alongside the

unskilled labour. Furthermore, the filling was compacted using a rammering machine, after

which the damp proof membrane was put with a very light blinding and then the hardcore

reinforcement was layed using 12mm thick reinforcement both vertically and horizontally

jointed together with a binding wire with 300mm spacing.

Plate 3.3: Reinforcing of the raft Plate 3.4: Casting of the raft

Plate 3.5: Removal of formwork for the raft Plate 3.6: Raft filling using unskilled labour

14
Plate 3.7: Foundation filling using a pay-loader Plate 3.8: Compaction using a rammering machine

Plate 3.9: Use of damp proof membrane Plate 3.10: Blinding of DPM and laying

3.3.2 BLOCK WORK

Blockwork refers to the construction of building units bonded together with mortar. It is

basically a walling material. On the basis of structural forms, block walls consist of two different

15
kind of walls which are simply load bearing walls and non-load bearing walls. Load bearing

walls are designed and constructed to carry superimposed loads from floors and roofs while non-

load bearing walls are such that carry no superimposed loads but are provided to serve as screen

for privacy.

A block, however, can be defined as a walling unit exceeding the BS dimensions

specified for bricks with its height not exceeding either its length or six times its thickness.

Building blocks could be solid, hollow or cellular. At the construction site where I worked, we

made use of hollow concrete blocks with different standard sizes. They are:

 9 inches hollow concrete block 450mm×225mm×225mm

 6 inches hollow concrete block 450mm×225mm×150mm

Block setting and laying were one of the major site works carried out by bricklayers.

Proper speculation was used during this operation, 9 inches blocks were used for external walls

and separation walls while 6 inches blocks were used for internal partition walls. The external

walls are wholly and entirely load bearing walls while most of the internal walls are load bearing

walls and some are none load bearing walls. Before the commencement of the blockwork,

preliminary block setting out was done to divide the house into partitions differentiating the

rooms, the toilet, family lounge etc. Beginning from either the back side of the building or the

smallest space area inside of the building.

Cement mortar mix ratio of 1:6 are mixed with appropriate water ratio to be used for

bedding and jointing of the blocks. Moreover, stretcher bond block arrangement was adopted.

During my training, I had the privilege to learn and practice the block-laying process. This task

involved the following procedures;

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  Preparation of cement mortar using 1:6 mix ratio

 Placement of the ready mix mortar for the block bedding plane.

 Placing of blocks at two extreme opposite sides of the space and tying of building lines to the

blocks on the same plane. Marking out of door openings where necessary.

 Measurement of the distance between the blocks to check if it corresponds with the drawings

and performing adjustments where necessary.

 Alignment verification of the two blocks with the aid of steel lath as a range and spirit level

plumb.

 Placing of the remaining blocks and alignment verification using range, spirit level and

mason’s square at joints or corners.

 Jointing and pointing of the blocks with cement mortar.

The same procedure was repeated severally for all the floors of the building, and we have 10

courses of block from the surface of the hardcore or second floor slab to the lintel while there are 3

courses of block above the lintel before the roof beam and parapet .

Plate 3.11: Block setting

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 Plate 3.12: Block laying for upper floor Plate 3.13: Block laying for fencing

Plate 3.14: Block setting and laying in various places

3.3.3 STAIRS

A stairs, stairway, staircase or flight of stairs is a construction designed to breach a

large vertical distance by dividing it into smaller vertical distances, called steps. A stair can also

be defined as a series of steps suitably designed and constructed for the purpose of connecting

different floors of a building thereby providing quick access as well as rendering comfort and

safety to the users. Stairs may be made from such different materials as timber, brick, steel, plain

18
concrete or reinforced concrete. Based on mode of construction, stairs may be classified as

straight flight, half turn, quarter turn, open-newel, circular, geometrical and bifurcated stairs.

The planning and designing of stairs, requires the consideration of various factors such

as location, safety, comfort and economy, and this factor were ultimately considered during the

construction of all the stairs inside the buildings on site. I had a stunning experience of seeing

and being part of turning detailed stair drawings into reality through calculation, sketches and the

construction process. While constructing, we determined and fixed the size of the risers and tread

of a step of every stair based on the length and height of the stair way. The numbers of the risers

is greatly influenced and also determined by the distance between the first floor and second floor

while the number of tread is also influenced by the length of the stairway. Most of the stairs we

constructed inside of the building were located in doorway, so the height of the door were greatly

considered in other to have the stairs above the door. All the stairs are actually a combination of

an half turn and spiral stairs. The stairs has no landing until the upper floor has being reached but

rather the area that’s supposed to be for the landing was constructed as a spiral. We ensured that

the riser and tread of each step in a stair were kept at uniform dimension as we marked out the

areas in order to provide a comfortable access to the staircase

Plate 3.15: Formwork of the stairs

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 Plate 3.16: Spiral area of the stairs Plate 3.17: casting of the stairway

3.3.4 UPPER FLOORS

These are floors mainly constructed on site for the purpose of supporting their own

weight as well as carrying other dead and live loads. A few factors such as type of loading, span,

degree of sound insulation and fire resistance required, provision of services as well as speed of

erection and adaptability were considered while constructing this building element.

All of the upper floors constructed on the site are cantilever i.e it extends beyond the

normal wall coming from the first floor making the second floor more spacious and wider than

the first floor. Some sides of the cantilever are 1m, while 1.2m was used for the balcony area and

at the same time for some the building the left and right side of the building was 1.2m while the

balcony was 1.5m making it to have a more space area than the others. The upper floor are

usually allowed to harden for 21 days before removing the formwork. While constructing the

upper floor, following methodology was adopted

 A Form work that is rigidly supported was made for the slab and beams

 Reinforcement steel bar were prepared and place inside formwork.

20
  Prescribe mix was placed and compacted

 Formworks were struck and removed in stages after a hardened floor slab is formed.

Plate 3.18: Construction of the upper floor using vibrating machine.

3.3.5 REINFORCEMENT WORK

Reinforced concrete is the combination of two non-similar but complimentary materials

namely, concrete and steel forms in which the whole process is refer to as reinforcement work .

On the one hand, concrete has a considerable crushing strength, it is durable, has good fire

resistance but is fair in shear and offers little or no strength in tension. On the other hand, steel

has good tensile properties, poor resistance to fire and is very good both in shear and in

compression. So the combination of these materials both concrete and steel results in good

product which is rich in tensile and compressive strength, durability and resistance to fire.

The materials which can be used as reinforcement in reinforced concrete work should have the

following characteristics:

(i) It should be able to develop perfect bond with concrete.

(ii) It should have high tensile strength.

(iii) Concrete should not produce any harmful effect on the material.

21
(iv) It should be easily available.

(v) It should be easy to cut, bind, bend or weld.

Steel is seen as the only material that meets all the above requirements and it is used on

large scale in reinforced concrete works. Various types of steel can be used for making different

form of reinforcement and they include mild steel, medium tensile steel, high yield tensile steel

and hard drawn steel.

In the course of my internship, the steel reinforcing bars(rebars) were used in the

construction of different structural members, we made use of reinforcement in column, beams,

slabs, inside the parapet and also inside of the angle window although they could still be likened

to a beam, in addition to that the coping on the balcony are also reinforced.

3.3.5.1 Reinforcement for columns

Columns primarily are vertical or compression members that carry the loads from the

beams and slabs of a structure down to the foundation below. Fundamentally, they can be

categorized as (i) axially loaded columns (ii) columns subjected to uniaxial bending (iii) columns

subjected to biaxial bending. Column reinforcements were cut, bent and bound with binding

wires with regards to specification.

We instructed the iron benders on the bar sizes in diameter, number of rods, rod type

and spacing needed to prepare for every area required. While working on reinforced concrete

structures 4-Y12, 4Y16 or 6-Y12 rebars were used and stirrups with spacing of 200mm centres

were provided to prevent buckling. While, we make consistent checks to ensure that the columns

22
eventually act in a concentric manner in the areas where they are placed and that the adjacent or

opposite column reinforcements of every structure are perfectly aligned.

Plate 3.19: Fixing of column reinforcement

3.3.5.2 Reinforcement for Beam and Slab

To begin with, beams are horizontal or inclined structural members having spans

between supports and carrying lateral loads across their longitudinal axes. They are also capable

of withstanding load primarily by resisting bending.

Slabs on the other hand, are structural members that support, transfer or share the

loads of a structure with columns and beams. They act as floor levels and also create platforms

for walls to be built. A combination of beam and slab reinforcements were assembled, erected

and placed on well-supported formworks on site. Just as we did for column reinforcement,

arrangement and placement of column reinforcement to different structures on site number and

sizes of rods as well as spacing to be used were given to the iron benders, the length of the

cantilever, the length of the return reinforcement {I was thought that the length of the return iron

above the cantilever is determined by the length of the cantilever multiply by 3.2}. The

reinforcement for structural beams and slabs were arranged in the form of a square with the

23
main(bottom) and secondary(top) fixed to links or stirrups that held them in position during

concrete placement, anchored them with the placed concrete as well as provide some resistance

to shear. Since all of the building were meant to carry the same and all equivalent proportion of

load the distribution and variation of sizes of iron are used similarly in all the building. The

regular 9 inches beam which is 225mmx225mm was majorly used, while we have a drop beam

mainly used in area where the distance of the columns perpendicular to the beam and parallel to

each other are far from each other for example in the living room and the size of the drop beam is

450mmx225mm, we also have some beams spanning above the 6inches block which made this

beam to 6inches as well which is 150mmx225mm. Meanwhile, most roof beams are

225mmx225mm in size as they provide support for the tie beam. Spacing of 200mm centres was

kept all through for the links. Moreover, in beam and slab reinforcement work, hidden or

concealed or rather secret beams were provided in order to evenly transfer the imposed loads on

the slab to the column and as well as allow for the usage of a greater span of the slab. In the same

vein, most slabs on site were arranged in a two-way spanning form, owing to the incoming

imposed loads with the bottom and top reinforcements separated and prevented from overlying

each other.

Also, concrete spacers were provided to prevent the bottom reinforcing bars from lying

directly on top of the slab panel formwork, and also prevent the reinforcement from lying

directly on the electrical pipe and boxes.

Prior to placement of reinforcing bars on formwork, we ensured that they are free from

loose rust, oil or any coating that can impair the real performance of the steel with the concrete.

Also, we made sure that the bars were placed and maintained in accurate position and prevented

from displacement during concreting.

24
 Plate 3.20: Fixing of reinforcement for slab and beam

3.3.5.3 Parapet Reinforcement

A parapet is a barrier that is an extension of the room beam at the edge of a roof,

terrace, balcony or other structure. The word comes from an Italian word parapetto {parare

means ‘to cover’ while petto means ‘chest’}. A parapet may simply means a portion of an

exterior wall that continues above the edge line of the roof surface or may be a continuation of a

vertical feature beneath the roof. Parapets were originally used to defend buildings from military

attack, but today they are primarily used as guard rails to conceal roof top, reduce wind loads on

roof, and prevent the spread of fires. They are used in place of wooden wall plate.

Plate 3.21: Reinforcement work for parapet.

25
3.3.6 FORMWORK

Formwork is the term used for the process of creating temporary mould into which

concrete is poured and formed after setting. Traditional formwork is fabricated using timber, but

it can also be fabricated from steel and other materials just that the cost is not cheap as engaging

the traditional method. A good formwork should satisfy the following main requirements:

(i) It should be strong enough to withstand all types of dead and live loads imposed on it

during and after casting of concrete

(ii) It should be rigidly constructed and efficiently propped and braced so as to retain its

shape without undue deflection.

(iii) The joints in the formwork should be tight against leakage of cement grout

(iv) It should be as light as possible and should rest on a firm base.

(v) The material of the formwork should not warp or get distorted when exposed to sun,

rain or water during concreting.

(vi) The material of the formwork should be cheap, easily available and should be suitable

for re-use several places.

As it has been said earlier that formwork can be made of timber, plywood,

steel, precast concrete or fibre glass, used separately or in combination. The type of

material to be used for formwork depends on the nature of construction, availability and

cost of material.

At my place of internship, timber formwork was used in the construction

process and we endeavoured to maximize the potential of well-seasoned, lightweight and

easily workable timber products. The construction of formwork for the three main

26
structural members (column, beam and slab) are different from one another. Here, I also

had the privilege of observing the process involved formwork construction.

While erecting column formworks, vertical plywood or timber boards locally

called marine board (25mm thick) were cut and moulded to form the desired shape and

size able to retain the wet concrete and resist the initial hydrostatic pressure caused by

the wet concrete. Horizontal clamps were used at specific points in order to maintain the

thickness of the formwork material during concrete pour. Prior to this, concrete plinths

were made in other to determine the location of the form and also prevent grout loss

from the bottom of the column formwork. Also, struts were provided at some sides of the

formwork in other to prevent displacement or distortion during and after concreting. The

beam formworks were erected to box-like structure able to carry accommodate the

incoming reinforcing steel bars and concrete. The formwork, were made in a manner

able to resist able to resist the initial dead load of the wet concrete and all joints were

firmly fit to prevent grout leakage. Also, bamboos were made available to support the

formwork in order to prevent shear during the concrete operation and after the concrete

operation. The same timber wood used for the first three building that is the phase 1 of

the project were also used for the other three that is the phase 2 of the project just that

additional material had to be purchased to support the old ones. Various sizes of wood

were used for the formwork, we used 1 x 12, 1 x 9, 1 x 6, 1 x 3, 2 x 2. The wood sizes

varies from the area of use like the wood sizes used in making formwork for the parapet

are quite different from the addition wood used in constructing the formwork for beam,

slab and column. At the site, the formwork for the slab extends beyond the wall from

below which is being called cantilever to have a larger floor area and the formwork were

27
 support vertically and there are stopper at the edges of the slab formwork to prevent the

concrete from discharging away from on top of the slab and gives it the proper shape.

Plate 3.22: Formwork for beam and slab

The formwork for the beams and columns are often removed the second day to move

the project forward into the next stage of work. But the formwork constructed for the slab are

removed after 21 days when the concrete has been allowed to cure and attain maximum strength

where it needs no formwork for workability.

Plate 3.23: Formwork for stairway and parapet

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3.3.7 CONCRETE WORK

Cement concrete may be defined as a composite building material that is obtained by

mixing cement, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate with water in a suitable proportion and then

allowing the mix to cure producing a plastic mixture to form an hard mass. While onsite we

made use of cast in concrete which is a technology of construction of buildings where beams and

slabs of the building are cast at the site in a read made formwork.

The hardened concrete resembles stone in weight, hardness and strength to a great extent. The

properties of concrete depend on the quantity and proportion of the materials used and this

showed the need for providing concrete grade mix.

While on site, we used a few set of concrete grade mixes depending on the nature of

work and the intended purpose of the concrete structure. These grade mixes are: C15(1:3:6),

C20(1:2:4), C15 was used for casting columns and lintel areas, C20 was used for casting

reinforced concrete beams and slabs.

We adopted one method in the supply of concrete during concrete production

depending on the output required, discharge height and the method of transporting the mixed

concrete. The method happens to be the nominal site mix through the use of small batch tilting

drum mixer. Small batch mixers were hand loaded and are used where time is not really

considered and there is easy means of placing the concrete at the required position, the concrete

were loaded and transported to the second floor in buckets which is equivalent to an head pan by

unskilled labour and then poured into the proper place.

The concrete are then compacted or vibrated by a vibrator using a vibrating machine in

other for the concrete to settle and compact properly so that we can have well leveled surface

after the formwork is removed on curing.

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 On the site where I did my training, the formwork for the lintels and column are

always removed the second day of the casting of the concrete without defect, as the concrete

would have attained enough strength to carry imposed load. So block work comes on the

concrete the second day. But for the slab floors, though block work begins the second day but the

concrete is allowed to cure for 21 days before removing the formwork.

Plate 3.24: Use of mixing machine and transporting of the concrete to the upper floor

Plate 3.25: Compaction and Vibration of the concrete

3.3.8. SCAFFOLDING

Scaffold in building construction, are temporary platform used to elevate and support

workers and materials during construction, repair, or cleaning of a structure, use of a machine or

30
installation. Allows mason to work at different stages of a structure, to raise material for use even

at an extreme height.

Since we dealt with the construction of high rise buildings. The scaffolding for each

building was done ones and was never removed until it use was completely exhausted. This

temporary structure was made available at every point of need for such building works as

blockwork, nailing of formwork, carpentry, plastering, screeding, painting, electrical work. I

observed and acquired a worthwhile knowledge in the construction process of this temporary

structure and the need for it being safe to work on. We used just one type of scaffold on the site

where I worked as a trainer which is the timber type of scaffold constructed with the use of

bamboos. The bamboos were jointed together using 5inches nails and binding wires to held it

firmly jointed together for safety. The bamboo was erected both parallel and perpendicular to

each other and properly positioned on the ground.

Plate 3.26: Construction of scaffold.

3.3.9 MECHANICAL WORK

Mechanical work refers to the laying, installation, alteration of water pipes, taps, tanks,

and fitting for water supply system in building. It also and deals with sanitary discharge pipes

31
and sanitary appliances like water closet, urinal, Wash hand basin also called toilet bowls. In

general it deals with the supply of clean water, the management system of the water both in

toilet, bath and kitchen and also the discharge of both fowl and soil water outside of the building.

At the construction site where I did my training, I was opportune to look upon the

stages and progression of the mechanical work as it is not a work that can be done once and off.

Beginning from the foundation to the second floor to when tiling was being done and to the time

when different appliances and fixture were being fixed. The waste pipe, were casted alongside

the raft and also alongside the concrete slab floor. Various inches of pipe were used depending

on the substance its carrying, pvc {polyvinyl chloride} pipes were used for the waste water while

ppr{polypropylene random copolymer} pipes were used for the clean water supply. The pvc

pipes were connected together using gum to have it firmly stick together while the ppr pipes

were connected using heat from the ppr connecting machine.

The ppr pipe has a better long lasting quality than the pvc pipe. I saw the installation of

appliances, like the concealed water closet system which is being fixed into the wall, the water

heater, the shower system with the combination of a tap. Taps were fixed into the compound area

as well for domestic purposes.

Below are different sizes of pipes that we made use of,

 4inches pipe for discharge of fowl water {pvc}.

 3inches pipe for discharge of soil water {pvc}.

 2inches pipe for discharge of soil water {pvc}.

 Half inch pipe for supply of clean water {ppr}.

 3 quarter pipe for supply of clean water {ppr}.

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 Plate 3.27: water and waste pipe work

The pipes were installed inside of the formwork for foundation and slab after

which the concrete was casted which means we made use of conduit method of pipe

installation. And after which we had the concrete casted over it.

Plate 3.28: Installation of concealed and the normal wc system.

The conceal system is fixed permanently into the wall, the closet that takes the

waste is attached and it suspends above the ground unlike the regular one by the right that

sits on the ground. The concealed is more expensive than the regular but it gives room for

more space than the other type.

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 Plate 3.29: Installation of wash hand basin.

3.3.10 ELECTRICAL WORK

Electrical work in building construction can simply be refer to as the summation of

every work done both internal and external of a building in other to supply electricity and power

electric appliances either it is through the public light or a personal private generating system.

It involves the use of different kinds of appliances, different sizes of cables, boxes and pipes.

During my training, the electrical work commenced after the block work with fixing of

electrical boxes. The walls were chiseled and the box were position base on specification.

Factors like where the TV wall will be in all the rooms were considered before chiseling the

wall. The electric pipe was connected to the box making it is a conduit installation as well, but

the kind of pipe differs from that use in water distribution, electric pipes are lighter than water

distribution pipes.

Prior to the concrete slab casting, electrical pipes and boxes were installed above the

formwork for the slab and the pipes were eventually buried inside of the concrete for connection

of electric distribution cable.

After the formwork has been reinforced, concrete biscuits were positioned beneath the

reinforcement to raise the irons up in other to fix the pipe and boxes. The pipes were bent to the

34
appropriate direction using the bending spring. Various factors such as where the dining table

will be positioned, the surveillance camera, were considered for the lighting box and camera

boxes. The diameter of the cables use for different fixtures was also a determinant factor in

determining the size of pipe to be used for the connection.

The electrical personnel did a whole lot of job in making sure that there is proper

connection, the lighting fixture were fixed after the pop ceiling has been fixed even though the

cable connection has been done before that. From the distribution board the connection spans to

different fixture. Two different distribution board were used for each building, one distribution

board for the first floor and another distribution board for the second floor. This was done

because of the density of electrical load supply coming into each floor.

Plate 3.30: Installation of electric pipes above the formwork for slab floor.

Plate 3.31: Fixing of electric socket Plate 3.32: Control switch Plate 3.33: Drilling of ceiling for installation .

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 Plate 3.34: Fixing of electric boxes

3.3.11 ROOF STRUCTURE

A roof is an essential part of every building and may be defined as a covering

provided over the top of a building with a view to provide protection from the weather elements

and the adverse effects of these elements. Rather, a roof structure is essentially the frame your

roofing sheet will be attached to. It consists of the various members including the tie beam,

struts, rafter purlin, kingpost, ridge, noggings, facial board.

The choice of a type of roof for a building could be made after paying due

consideration to the climatic conditions, the nature of building as well as the availability of

materials. In addition, a well-planned roof should satisfy the following main requirements:

I. It should be strong enough and structurally sound to carry the intended dead and live

loads safely.

II. The roof should be durable against adverse effects of weather elements.

III. It should provide desired insulation against sound and heat.

IV. It should have efficient water-proofing and drainage provisions.

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In general, roofs can be broadly classified to the following main types:

 Pitched or sloped roofs.

 Flat or terraced roofs.

During the construction work I witnessed at obimzy properties, the type of roof we used

was a pitched roof. The roof structure was constructed traditionally with the use of timber hard

wood. Of all the roof members the roof structure was void of one which is the facial board and

the parapet happened to be the replacement for the facial board which is a best option for

durability and longevity.

Below are the roof members and sizes of wood used for the construction:

I. Tie beam 3x4

II. King post 2x6

III. Purlin 2x2

IV. Ridge 2x4

V. Rafter 2x4

VI. Noggings 2x 2

VII. Facial board 1 x 12

The kingpost was pitched to a height of 5.5metres and another of the building pitched to

a height of 6metres. The carpenters were properly supervised to ensure that the job was done

according to specification, and the workmanship were able to satisfy the requirement. After the

roof members has been constructed, the roofing sheet was attached to it using nail and the

roofing used was the coated bond roofing sheet locally called gerad, it is much more durable

than the regular aluminum roofing sheet. In addition, roof gutters were attached strategically to

37
different parts of the roof structure in other to regulate the flow of water down pour flowing from

the roof. It greatly prevents the effect of water on the wall and wall paint.

Plate 3.35: Roof structure construction in stages

3.3.12 FINISHES: WALL, WINDOW, CEILING, FLOOR, DOOR.

3.3.12.1 Wall finishes

There are three main finishes provided to the wall which are plastering, screeding and

painting. Before the commencement of the plastering process, the wall surfaces were chiseled to

have it leveled together to have a smooth plastering surface. The surface was cleaned of dusts

38
and loose mortar joints or bed that protruded during the block-laying process, and then

moistened with water. Afterwards the level of the surface was taking and nails in a rectangular

manner was attached across the surface and then a line was attached also to get a specific

thickness. And then, patches of plaster were applied horizontally and vertically over the entire

surface. Mortar being laid on wooden float was then applied on the wall with the aid of a trowel.

Pure cement was applied on the surface of the plastering as it progresses so the plaster

can stand firm on the wall to reduce wastage of falling concrete from the wall. After all the

making good of the concrete rubbing was done.

Plate 3.36: Wall plastering in stages.

After the plastering process had been accomplished and the surface has dried, the

screeding operation commences by scrapping the wall surface using a scraper and then a mixture

of screeding paint, top bond and cement in accurate proportion was used to prepare the surface

which is the first layer and then the pure screeding paint was used on the surface making it

smoother for painting making it two coat.

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 Plate 3.37: Screeding process progression.

Also, the painting itself which is done in various layer, the primer, the undercoat and

finally the finishing coat. The color of the paint used was white.

Plate 3.38: Painting works

Finally, tiling was done to some part of the walls like the front view of the buildings for

design purpose and also inside of the toilet.

3.3.12.2 Window Finishes

40
 The window spaces provided for in the building were exceptional and well planned for as

they are cross ventilated windows. Most of the windows are 1m in breadth and spans from the

third course of block to the lintel except for the angle windows and toilet windows. The angle

window comprises of aluminum and glass making it of great quality. The window was made up

of 12mm iron reinforcement in place of the regular burglary fixed into the wall for security

purpose. The angle windows were positioned in the master bedroom situated at the forefront of

the second floor prior to the balcony.

Plate 3.39: The angle window and the regular window.

Also, outside and around the window area we have the window hood which is a kind of

concrete design, purposed to give more aesthetic to building, it was molded in a precast form and

then jointed with morter to the window.

41
 Plate 3.40: Molding and fixing of the window hood.

3.3.12.3 Ceiling finishes

At the site where I did my training we made use of two different ceiling finish, the first is

the pop ceiling finish which was used for the inward part of the building. It was quite an

exciting part of the job but also a tedious as the pop ceiling mold were casted first using the

combination of the pop cement and flax.

To do the molding, an aluminum iron which has been cut to the desired length was placed

in a rectangular manner on a set smooth table made of a marine timber board, and then a liquid

soap mixed with vegetable oil was poured on the table to reduce friction and allow ease of

removing the mold after hardening, after which the flax was use to spread the soap evenly on the

board within the space where the pop cement will be poured. The wet mix of the pop cement was

poured within the aluminum space on the timber board, afterwards the flax which acts as the

reinforcement was added and the mix was allow to harden, it takes less than 10 minutes for it to

harden. The fixing too was done using the water level to get an appropriate level for the finish.

Also, the ceiling was hung to the tie beam using a wet mix of the cement and flax.

42
 Plate 3.41: POP ceiling work.

Secondly was the suspended wooden ceiling finish which was made of hard wood and

it was used for the outward part of the building like the balcony.

Plate 3.42: Suspended wooden ceiling finish {cutting and fixing of the wood}

3.3.12.4 Floor finishes

Floor tiling was the only finish done on the floor surface for the whole of the buildings.

The tiles were all ceramic product of various sizes, patterns and colors. The tiling process was

43
achieved by laying a floor screed using the mixture of sand and cement and a little quantity of

water evenly spread and well compacted using a ranging pole, the floor tiles were then laid on

the screed from the center of the area towards the edges.

Plate 3.43: Floor screeding prior to tiling

Plate 3.44: Floor tiling

3.3.12.5 Door finishes

Doors are majorly for security purpose and the doors that were used at the site were all

wooden door made of hard wood including the door at the main entrance which is a security. The

wooden doors to me looks quite better than the even many doors made of steel. The subframe of

44
the doors were fixed during the plastering and after the painting and tiling the doors were being

fixed being hung on the subframe.

Plate 3.45: Wooden door finishes

3.3.13 EXPERIENCE GAINED DURING THE TRAINING

The program has been very inspiring to me and it has updated and upgraded my

knowledge and perspective on how projects are executed on site. The experience is quite

different from the theoretical class and it is much more enlightening and preparatory for

proficiency in the built industry. The experiences gained are not just limited to the site activities

and operation but also learning how to interact with people in an organization and settling of

dispute. Some of the experiences gained are as follow:

1. Setting out for block work: one of the experiences gained was that I was given a chance

to do the setting out for the second floor of a whole building. I was giving a standard to

use and it was to partition the building into various compartment by transferring the

measurement used in another building and then set out using the measuring tape, line and

45
 builder square, though the process was overseen by my supervisor but I was given the

chance to practicalize what have seen and thought over and over again within the site.

2. Measurement of works: the training period provided me the chance to take

measurement of some work items on site. At most cases, I was assigned the duty of

measuring work done such as blockwork. The actual sizes of these works are compiled

and computed for the necessary payments to be given to site operatives.

3. Construction management: this is a technical and professional skill that is highly

needed this present day. I observed and interacted with my boss on the project

management principles being adopted in order to deliver a quality project, within budget

in a safe working environment and on time. Also, I had a glimpse of orientation on how

to assign work to site operatives in a way that will meet these project objectives and given

them directions and corrections as instructed by my supervisor.

3.3.14 CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED ON SITE AND SOLUTION

PROVIDED

The challenges encountered during my program include:

 The road to the site is often flooded with water imposing risk of life.

 Misunderstanding between the project developer and the project manager on taking

critical decisions as the project progresses.

 The work is quite stressful because we work all days of the week except that I was

given privilege of a day which is Sunday.

46
  As a student I had challenges in coordinating the actions of some site workers

when I am instructed by my supervisor to give them corrections. And some can

also be insulting.

 There are times when the project was slow because of reluctancy of site operatives

due to lack of payment for jobs that had been done as a result of funds not being

released.

Solutions provided:

 Patient in communication between the organization managements.

 The site workers were motivated to work more efficiently and effectively.

 Funds were released to pay the workers in other for the construction to progress.

 Patient in dealing with the site operatives, made them more receptive and

obedient to instruction.

 Sometimes incentives in monetary form were given out to motivate the workers.

CHAPTER FOUR

4. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

4.1 CONCLUSION

In these days of vast increase of knowledge in technology where the construction

industry is becoming more sophisticated and professional with a high level of development, the

constructive effects of the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on students

cannot be under rated and under estimated. Throughout the past months, the scheme has

47
transformed me from the state of curiosity in quest for an invaluable experience in my field to be

an experienced and refined student that has been trained and set on the track of professional

advancement in the diverse course of construction technology. All through my stay with the

peculiar organization managements of OBIMZY PROPERTIES, I was exposed to the rudiments

and methodology behind advanced construction technology, the pertinent task required planing,

organizing, directing and controlling of the construction operations for the successful completion

of quality projects within budgets, on time and in a safe working environment.

The internship period, though stressful and rigorous is nevertheless interesting and a

basic means of contact between the student and his or her anticipated professional career and it

would help the student to view the industrial world with sense of responsibility.

Finally, it is a platform that provides the experience that which helps an individual to

discover his or her present self, what he is capable of and void of as well as determine how the

future will be as such an individual sail through the course of life. Hence, it should be taken with

utmost seriousness by every student who intends to be a change agent and pacesetter in his or her

chosen field or career.

4.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

The SIWES program has been of a great advantage as it has help in giving an exceptional

experience to any passionate student. However, there are a few things I recommend about the

program. These are clearly stated below:

1. The Federal Government should provide industries and organizations to encourage and

solicit for their cooperation and contribution to the program.

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 2. The Industrial Liaison office and Students’ Departmental Supervisor(s) should endeavor

to regularly visit students on site to solve some relevant problems and for adequate

evaluation.

3. The University’s Departments-in-charge of student Industrial Training program can

acquaint themselves to various company and establishment of Student Industrial Work

Experience Scheme. This will contribute to the success of the program as students could

be offered placement from school instead of them seeking for months before finding a

suitable organization.

4. Finally, students themselves must be willing and ready to learn at the period of the

training.

REFERENCES

1. Barry R (1996). The Construction of Buildings, Volume 4.

2. Mohamed A. El-Reedy (2011). construction

3. Roy Chudley and Roger Greeno (2016). Building Construction Handbook

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